Injury blow: Alexander Isak
Alexander Isak and Curtis Jones are “99.9%” certain to miss Liverpool’s clash against Aston Villa, but Ryan Gravenberch is on course to return from injury.
Gravenberch twisted his ankle in the second half of the 2-1 loss at home to Manchester United earlier in the month and required lengthy treatment before making way for Curtis Jones just after the hour mark.
The Dutchman has subsequently missed games against Eintracht Frankfurt, Brentford and Crystal Palace, with the Reds conceding seven goals in the process and losing the latter two.
However, following the Carabao Cup exit on Wednesday night, Arne Slot spoke in confidence that Gravenberch would be available for selection against Villa as Liverpool aim to avoid a fifth straight Premier League defeat.
That remains the case, though unlike the Netherlands international, Isak and Jones are yet to resume full training and have all-but been ruled out of contention.
“Ryan trained with us yesterday and the other two have not, yet,” Slot said in the pre-match press conference on Friday morning.
Read More
Liverpool confirm forgotten signing could be handed lifeline
Liverpool make Slot sack decision after Carabao Cup exit
Liverpool injury update: Isak, Gravenberch, Frimpong latest return dates
Investing with confidence: How to make your money work harder
“As I said many times, in the end phase of the injury things can slow down a bit or things can go faster. Let’s wait and see where they are.
“Like I said, Ryan trained with us for the first time yesterday, he will train with us today and then were are going to make the call if he’s able to start, yes or no.
“But the other two are probably 99.9% sure to be out of the squad.”
Liverpool are also set to be without first-choice goalkeeper Alisson Becker for the visit of Villa, while Jeremie Frimpong is sidelined with a hamstring injury and summer signing Giovanni Leoni is a long-term absentee.